Over 400 people arrested in Limpopo for violating lockdown rules
Police in the province made the arrests during the week-long operations that were conducted throughout the province.
LIMPOPO -A total of 479 people were arrested for contravening the regulations under the Disaster Management Act this past week. These arrests follow week-long police operations that were conducted in all five districts of the province since Monday, July 5.
The operations were conducted by members from the Limpopo Highway Patrol, Crime Intelligence, Operational Response Services (ORS), Crime Prevention units and various tracking teams.
During these operations a further 879 people were apprehended for various offences ranging from murder, attempted murder, robbery, rape, sexual assault, fraud, driving under the influence of liquor, possession of suspected stolen properties, possession and dealing in drugs, violation of the Immigration Act, assault GBH, stock theft, malicious damage to property and possession of illegal firearms and ammunition, said police spokesperson, Brig Motlafela Mojapelo in a statement on Tuesday.
He added that eight firearms, 10 suspected stolen vehicles, 48 dangerous weapons and various quantities of drugs, liquor and counterfeit cigarettes were seized. “A total of 1 499 fines were also issued.”
Provincial police commissioner Lt Genl Thembi Hadebe commended the members for their commitment in their carrying out their duties and in ensuring that criminal activities are eradicated in the province.
Mojapelo mentioned a few of the breakthroughs made during the week-long operations:
In Mookgophong, three suspects aged 24 and 39 were arrested in the early hours of Sunday in Extension 04 for contravening the regulations under the Disaster Management Act.
Mojapelo explained that the police were patrolling in the area at around 01.15 when they heard loud music and saw a red hatchback parked nearby. “The vehicle was searched and after the three occupants failed to produce permits to be on the road during curfew hours, they were arrested.”
Three more suspects were arrested during separate operations in the Sekhukhune district.
Two men were arrested along the R579 road at Ga-Malekana after found in the possession of liqour. “It is alleged the men, travelling in a blue hatchback, were pulled over during a routine search operation and found to be transporting bottles of liquor in a cooler box. The 30-year-old driver was arrested for contravening the Disaster Management Act while the passenger, a 43-year-old man, was arrested for ‘interfering with police work'”.
In Driekop, the police apprehended a 32-year-old man on Saturday at 22.00 after he was found selling liquor at a local liquor outlet and restaurant, he added.
Meanwhile in Bela-Bela, police arrested a 3o-year-old man found to be in the possession of nyaope with an estimated value of R560. The drugs as well as R1 040 cash were confiscated during the arrest.
Some of the arrested suspects have already started appearing before the different magistrate courts across the province.
